Lighter with delayed flame shutoff

ABSTRACT

A lighter using fuel under pressure has a valve for admitting fuel into a metering chamber and has a pressure reducing regulator interposed between the metering chamber and the flame orifice. The valve is controlled by relative movement between the fuel reservoir member and a head member which carries ignition means. The flame continues to burn after the valve is closed until the fuel in the metering chamber is consumed. A detachable coupling between the members permits the head member to be removed so that the fuel reservoir may be re-charged through said valve.

United States Patent 1 Piffath et al.

[ LIGHTER WITH DELAYED FLAME SHUTOFF [75] Inventors: Rodney S. Piffath, Northridge; John J. Cole, Beverly Hills, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Butane Match A.G., Zurich, Calif.

[22] Filed: Aug. 16, 1971 [2]] Appl. No.: 171,865

[52] US. Cl. 431/276, 431/277, 431/254,

[5 l] Int. Cl. F23q l/02 [58] Field of Search 431/254, 276, 277,

43l/344, 130, l3l, 142, 143, 150; 222/3 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,592,579 7/l97l Waskamatsu 431/277 June 19, 1973 3,413,070 11/1968 Piffath et al. 431/142 Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors Assistant ExaminerHenry C. Yuen Att0rney-Ly0n & Lyon [57] ABSTRACT A lighter using fuel under pressure has a valve for admitting fuel into a metering chamber and has a pressure reducing regulator interposed between the metering chamber and the flame orifice. The valve is controlled by relative movement between the fuel reservoir mem her and a head member which carries ignition means. The flame continues to burn after the valve is closed until the fuel in the metering chamber is consumed. A detachable coupling between the members permits the head member to be removed so that the fuelreservoir may be re-charged through said valve.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented June 19, 1973 3,740,183

62 INVENTORS.

eap/vey s- P/FFAT/v JOHN J (T046 replenishing the supply of fuel under LIGHTER WITH DELAYED FLAME SHUTOFF This invention relates to pressure fuel lighters for cigars, cigarettes, tobacco pipes and for other uses where a flame is needed. An important feature of this invention is that the flame is not immediately extinguished when the fuel valve is shut off, but on the contrary the flame continues to burn for a few seconds after the fuel valve is closed. This enables the user to employ the lighter device in the manner of a match held between the thumb and fingers, and does not require the user to maintain pressure on the sparking wheel igniter while the lighter is being used. Moreover, should the user wish to maintain the flame in existence for an indefinite period, he may do so by applying a small manual force to telescope parts of the lighter and thereby maintain the fuel valve in open position. These features are achieved by providing a matering chamber which receives fuel under pressure through the valve from the reservoir and positioning a pressure reducing regulator between the metering chamber and the flame orifice. The valve is operated by relative longitudinal movement between the fuel reservoir and the head member which carries the sparking wheel and flame orifice. The axial component of the manual force applied to the sparking wheel causes relative movement between the members to open the valve, causing fuel under pressure to flow to the pressure reducing regulator and to emerge at the flame orifice. The flame is not immediately extinguished upon relaxing of the manual pressure to close the fuel valve, and the flame continues to burn until the fuel in the metering chamber is consumed.

When the supply of fuel under pressure has been depleted, the fuel reservoir may be re-charged by first removing the head memberand then using a conventional refill cartridge to introduce fuel under pressure through the fuel valve and into the fuel reservoir.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

lnthe drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation partly broken away, the valve parts being shown in closed position.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views taken substantially on the lines 3-3 and 4-4, respectively, as shown on FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, the valve parts being shown in open position.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail taken substantially on the lines 6-6 as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevation showing the manner of pressure from a refill cartridge.

Referring to the drawings, the lighter generally designated 10 includes a head member 11 and a fuel reservoir member 12. A weighted base support 13 encircles the lower portion of the member 12 and its plug 14 to hold the device upright on a flat surface. A hollow stem 15 is slidably mounted for limited axial movement in the reservoir member 12 and has a projecting portion 16 at its upper end provided with external threads 17. Thesethreads are received within the internal threads 18 within the boss 19 of the head member 11. The upstanding rim 2] on the reservoir member 12 slidably receives the depending circular portion 22 on the head member 11. Accordingly, the head member 11 may move axially with respect to the reservoir member 12 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 5.

A pressure reducing regulator assembly 25 is positioned within a circular bore 26 in the head member 1 1. This assembly 25 may take the form of the split regulator disclosed in our copending application Ser. No. 101,824 filed Dec. 28, 1970, or,'in the alternative, this assembly 25 may take the form shown in our US. Pat.

No. 3,523,006 granted Aug. 4, l970. As shown in the socket 34 to the pressure reducing regulator assembly 25. A seal ring 46 prevents leakage along the threads 17 and 18.

Ignition means are provided on the head member, and as shown in the drawings this ignition means in cludes a sparking wheel 35 having integral trunnions 36 received in slots 37 and held against escape by cars 38 deformed from the upper wall of the head member 11. A cylindrical flint 40 slides in a bore 41 in the head member 11 and is urged into contact with the serrated periphery of the sparking wheel 35 by means of a coil compression spring 42 positioned in the same bore 41. The lower end of the spring 42 engages an annular spring carrier plate 43 which has a central opening through which the hollow stem 15 projects. Upstanding arcuate ears 44 fixed on the plate 43 frictionally engage the outer wall 45 of the boss 19 to hold the plate 43 in position against the force of the spring 42. From this description it will be understood that rotation of the sparking wheel 35 against the flint 40 causes sparks to travel to the vicinity of the burner orifice 31.

Valve means are provided for admitting fuel under pressure from the chamber 48 within the fuel reservoir member 12 into the metering chamber 49 within the interior of the hollow stem 15. As shown in the drawings, this valve means includes ports 50 in the wall of the hollow stem 15 encircled by an 0" ring 51 mounted in the recess 52 within the fuel reservoir member 12. A metal retainer ring 55 is press-fitted into the bore 56 of the member 12 to retain the 0 ring 51 and also to provide a sliding guide for the hollow stem 15. A portion 58 of the stem 15 is enlarged and slides in a bore 59 of the member 12. A spring 60 in-the bore 59 engages a shoulder 61 on the stem 15 at its upper end and engages a shoulder 62 on the member 12 at its lower end. A projecting tang 63 on the extreme lower end of the stem 15 is non-circular in cross section and passes through a non-circular aperture 64 in the member 12. Relative rotation between the stem 15 and member 12 is thus prevented, while permitting relative axial movement between them.

When the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 2, fuel under pressure from the chamber 48 and existing within the bore 59 is prevented by the 0" ring 51 from passing into the metering chamber 49 through the ports 50. Accordingly, the flow of fuel under pressure from the chamber48 is shut off. However, when the head 1 1 is manually depressed against the action of the spring 60, the hollow stem 15 moves downward through the ring 51 to the position shown in FIG. 5, wherein the ports 50 are positioned below the 0 ring 51, allowing fuel under pressure to pass from the chamber 48 through the non-circular opening 64 into the bore 59, through ports 50 and into the metering chamber 49 within the hollow stem 15. The fuel under pressure then passes through passage 33 in the head member 11 and through the pressure reducing regulator 25 and passage 32 to the flame orifice 31.

In operation, the parts are initially in the position shown in FIG. 2. Manual force applied to the upper portion of the sparking wheel 35 to cause it to rotate produces a downward component which moves the head member 11 and hollow stem 15 downward to permit flow of fuel under pressure into the metering chamber 49 and through the pressure reducing regulator 25 to the flame orifice 31. The sparks generated by contact of the serrated periphery of the sparking wheel 35 against the upper end of the flint 40 ignite the fuel escaping through the flame orifice 31 to produce the flame 67. Downward motion of the head member 11 with respect to the fuel reservoir member 12 is arrested by engagement of the upper end of the rim 21 with the under side of the flange 20.

Upon release of manual pressure exerting a downward force on the head member 11, the spring 60 returns the parts to the position shown in FIG. 2, the

valve parts 50, 51 closing to prevent further flow of fuel under pressure into the metering chamber 49. However, the flame 67 is not immediately extinguished but continues to burn for a short period of time, for example, 3 to 5 seconds. The flame continues to burn after the valve has been closed because fuel in the metering chamber 49 continues to pass through the pressure reducing regulator assembly 25 and flame orifice 31 until its pressure is exhausted. Accordingly, it is unnecessary for the operator to maintain manual pressure on the sparking wheel 35 during the time interval required to light a cigarette, cigar or pipe; the flame continues to burn for a short interval of time until the fuel in the metering chamber 49 is exhausted. This is a great convenience, because the operator need not maintain his thumb on the sparking wheel in order to keep the flame in existence. Instead, he may grasp the outer surface of the fuel reservoir member 12 between his thumb and fingers to manipulate the lighter 10 in the manner of a match. This convenience is particularly desirable when lighting the tobacco in a smoking pipe.

If it should be desired to keep the flame 67 burning continuously, the operator may apply downward pressure manually to the flange 20 on the head member 11 to maintain the valve parts in open position.

When the supply of fuel under pressure in the chamber 48 becomes depleted, it may be replenished in the manner shown in FIG. 6. The head member 11 is turned with respect to the fuel reservoir member 12 to cause separation of the threads 16 and 17 between the hollow stem 15 and the head member 11. The stem 15 does not turn with respect to the member 12 because of the interengaging non-circular parts 63 and 64. The head member 11 is then withdrawn axially from the member 12 and set aside. A conventional refill cartridge 70 has a tubular delivery nozzle 71 which is thrust down over the projecting end 16 of the hollow stem 15. The downward force moves the stem 15 downward to move the ports 50 to a position below the 0 ring 51, thus establishing communication between the chamber 48 and the metering chamber 49. The same downward force also acts on the nozzle 71 to open the valve 73 in the cartridge -against the action of the internal spring 74, to permit flow out through the passage 72. Thus, downward force applied by the refill cartridge 70 serves to open the valve 50, 51 within the member 12 and also serves to open the conventional valve 73 within the cartridge to cause flow of fuel under pressure from the cartridge 70 through the metering chamber 49, valve 50, 51 and into the chamber 48 within the reservoir member 12. When the refill operation has been completed, the cartridge 70 is lifted away from the stem 15 and the spring 60 closes the valve 50, 51. The head member 11 is then re-installed.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we are not to be limited to the details herein set forth but that our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a head member containing a burner orifice and having ignition means, means connecting said head member to said reservoir member for relative sliding movement, said connecting means comprising a hollow stem mounted for axial movement in said reservoir member, detachable means connecting said hollow stem to said head member, a valve in the reservoir-member operated by such movement, resilient means acting to move the members in a direction to close the valve, a metering chamber in said connecting means ported to receive fuel under pressure from said reservoir member when the valve is open, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member communicating with said metering chamber, passage means in said head member leading from said pressure regulator assembly to said burner orifice, whereby manual force applied to the ignition means is effective to cause relative movement of the members in a direction to open the valve, the resulting flame at the burner orifice continuing after closing of the valve by the resilient means until fuel in the metering chamber has been consumed.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the detachable means comprises interengaging threads on the hollow stem and head member, and means for preventing relative tuming movement of said hollow stem and said reservoir member.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the hollow stem has at least one port in a wall thereof and is encircled by an 0 ring in the reservoir member, the port and 0 ring constituting said valve.

4. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a head member having a burner orifice, means connecting said head member to said reservoir member for relative movement therebetween, said connecting means comprising a hollow stem mounted for axial movement in said reservoir member, detachable means connecting said hollow stem to said head member, a valve in the reservoir member operated by such movement, resilient means acting to move the members in a direction to close the valve, means forming a metering chamber adapted to receive fuel under pressure from said reservoir member when the valve is open, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member communicating with said metering chamber, passage means in said head member leading from said pressure regulator assembly to said burner orifice, whereby fuel under pressure in the metering chamber continues to pass through the pressure regulator assembly to the burner orifice after the valve is closed by the resilient means.

5. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a head member containing a burner orifice and having a sparking wheel, a hollow stem detachably connecting said head member to said reservoir member for relative sliding movement, said hollow stem having at least one port in a wall thereof encircled by an 0 ring in said reservoir member, said 0 ring and port constituting a valve, resilient means acting to move the members in a direction to close the valve, a metering chamber in said hollow stem adapted to receive fuel under pressure from said reservoir member when the valve is open, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member communicating with said metering chamber, passage means in said head member leading from said pressure regulator assembly to said burner orifice, whereby manual force applied to the sparking wheel is effective to cause relative movement of the members in a direction to open the valve, the resulting flame at the burner orifice continuing after closing of the valve by the resilient means until fuel in the metering chamber has been consumed.

6. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a hollow stem mounted for limited axial sliding movement on said reservoir member, means including valve means in the reservoir member for establishing communication between the fuel under pressure and the interior of said hollow stem on movement of said stem in one direction, resilient means acting to move said stem in the other direction to close said valve means, a head member having a burner orifice, detachable means connecting said head member to said hollow stem, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member, first passage means establishing communication from the interior of said hollow stem to said regulator assembly, and second passage means in said head member connecting said regulator assembly to said burner orifice.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said detachable means comprises intezrengaging threads on the hollow stem and head member, and means for preventing relative turning movement of said hollow stem and said reservoir member.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said hollow stem has at least one port in a wall thereof and is encircled by an 0 ring in the reservoir member, said port and 0 ring constituting said valve means.

9. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein the detachable means includes a projecting part on said hollow stem through which fuel under pressure may be introduced through said valve means to refill said reservoir member, in the absence of said head member.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a hollow stem mounted for limited axial sliding movement with respect to said reservoir member, means including valve means in the reservoir member for establishing communication between the fuel under pressure and the interior of said hollow stem on movement of said stem in one direction, resilient means acting to move said stem in the other direction to close said valve means, a head member having a burner orifice, and having ignition means, means connecting said head member to said hollow stem for movement as a unit, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member, and the head member and the ignition means and burner orifice and pressure re ducing regulator assembly being removable as a unit from said reservoir member for purposes of refilling the reservoir member through said valve means, first passage means establishing communication from the interior of said hollow stem to said regulator assembly, and second passage means in said head member connecting said regulator assembly to said burner orifice. 

1. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a head member containing a burner orifice and having ignition means, means connecting said head member to said reservoir member for relative sliding movement, said connecting means comprising a hollow stem mounted for axial movement in said reservoir member, detachable means connecting said hollow stem to said head member, a valve in the reservoir member operated by such movement, resilient means acting to move the members in a direction to close the valve, a metering chamber in said connecting means ported to receive fuel under pressure from said reservoir member when the valve is open, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member communicating with said metering chamber, passage means in said head member leading from said pressure regulator assembly to said burner orifice, whereby manual force applied to the ignition means is effective to cause relative movement of the members in a direction to open the valve, the resulting flame at the burner orifice continuing after closing of the valve by the resilient means until fuel in the metering chamber has been consumed.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the detachable means comprises interengaging threads on the hollow stem and head member, and means for preventing relative turning movement of said hollow stem and said reservoir member.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein the hollow stem has at least one port in a wall thereof and is encircled by an ''''0'''' ring in the reservoir member, the port and ''''0'''' ring constituting said valve.
 4. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a head member having a burner orifice, means connecting said head member to said reservoir member for relative movement therebetween, said connecting means comprising a hollow stem mounted for axial movement in said reservoir member, detachable means connecting said hollow stem to said head member, a valve in the reservoir member operated by such movement, resilient means acting to move the members in a direction to close the valve, means forming a metering chamber adapted to receive fuel under pressure from said reservoir member when the valve is open, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member communicating with said metering chamber, passage means in said head member leading from said pressure regulator assembly to said burner orifice, whereby fuel under pressure in the metering chamber continues to pass through the pressure regulator assembly to the burner orifice after the valve is closed by the resilient means.
 5. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a head member containing a burner orifice and having a sparking wheel, a hollow stem detachably connecting said head member to said reservoir member for relative sliding movement, said hollow stem having at least one port in a wall thereof encircled by an ''''0'''' ring in said reservoir member, said ''''0'''' ring and port constituting a valve, resilient means acting to move the members in a direction to close the valve, a metering chamber in said hollow stem adapted to receive fuel under pressure from said reservoir member when the valve is open, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member communicating with said metering chamber, passage meAns in said head member leading from said pressure regulator assembly to said burner orifice, whereby manual force applied to the sparking wheel is effective to cause relative movement of the members in a direction to open the valve, the resulting flame at the burner orifice continuing after closing of the valve by the resilient means until fuel in the metering chamber has been consumed.
 6. In a lighter, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a hollow stem mounted for limited axial sliding movement on said reservoir member, means including valve means in the reservoir member for establishing communication between the fuel under pressure and the interior of said hollow stem on movement of said stem in one direction, resilient means acting to move said stem in the other direction to close said valve means, a head member having a burner orifice, detachable means connecting said head member to said hollow stem, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member, first passage means establishing communication from the interior of said hollow stem to said regulator assembly, and second passage means in said head member connecting said regulator assembly to said burner orifice.
 7. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said detachable means comprises interengaging threads on the hollow stem and head member, and means for preventing relative turning movement of said hollow stem and said reservoir member.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 6 wherein said hollow stem has at least one port in a wall thereof and is encircled by an ''''0'''' ring in the reservoir member, said port and ''''0'''' ring constituting said valve means.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein the detachable means includes a projecting part on said hollow stem through which fuel under pressure may be introduced through said valve means to refill said reservoir member, in the absence of said head member.
 10. In a device of the class described, the combination of: a reservoir member adapted to contain fuel under pressure, a hollow stem mounted for limited axial sliding movement with respect to said reservoir member, means including valve means in the reservoir member for establishing communication between the fuel under pressure and the interior of said hollow stem on movement of said stem in one direction, resilient means acting to move said stem in the other direction to close said valve means, a head member having a burner orifice, and having ignition means, means connecting said head member to said hollow stem for movement as a unit, a pressure reducing regulator assembly in said head member, and the head member and the ignition means and burner orifice and pressure reducing regulator assembly being removable as a unit from said reservoir member for purposes of refilling the reservoir member through said valve means, first passage means establishing communication from the interior of said hollow stem to said regulator assembly, and second passage means in said head member connecting said regulator assembly to said burner orifice. 